Chapter 2
(So much…black…can't…see…where am I?) Squall looked around, but saw nothing…there was simply nothing to see…yet. (What were the voices? Why were they talking to me? Oh, great, Leonhart…you're a schizophrenic. Yayness.) He sighed and sat up brushing off his clothes. A duck feather was lodged between his gunblade and unbeknownst to him, in his hair. (Damn ducks!) After Squall had fallen into the darkness, he fell into water. (Really, REALLY cold water…) Then he fell out of water and in to the sky…and into thousands of squawking ducks. What happened next was the oddest thing. The birds seemed to make some kind of spiral tunnel around him. Suddenly, the birds disappeared, shaping the tunnel walls around him. Colors of all kinds practically blinded him.
Squall stood, his legs and arms slightly aching for no apparent reason. (Where the hell am I??) Just as the thought entered his mind, something behind him appeared. But he was so occupied by his thoughts that it went unnoticed. It was a portal to say the least. A vortex of swirling mists and colors. Instantly jolting him from his thoughts, something-someone- fell into him from the back, knocking him down; face first, to the floor. He landed with a very subdued yelp. He felt more weight pile on top of him. He clenched his teeth in pain. Who knew people could weigh so much?
"Ow!! THAT HURT!!"a voice cried out, not nearly as deep as most men were, but it was definitely male. (Probably Zell.)
"I didn't get hurt!! A nice cushion helped me!!" a bright, bouncy voice called out. It was the loudest voice he had ever heard. She must have been shouting. He felt pokes on the back of his head and neck. "Hey…this cushion's warm!!" At that point, Squall felt like screaming. The second person sitting on his legs disappeared.
"Are you sure you're not sitting on someone?" a very amused voice asked, barely keeping the laughter out of her tone. (Oh shit…Quistis knows Selphie's sitting on me. Damn…I bet she was sitting on me too…)
"Get the fuck off me!" he growled lowly, inaudibly sighing in relief when Selphie stood with a gasp.
"HOLY SHI-It's talking!! THE CUSHION'S TALKING!!!" she screamed hoarsely. Tiredly, Squall sat up, wincing with each word the SeeD shouted. (Schizophrenia, pounding headache, pain in back…this night-or is it day?- is getting better and better.) The darkness began to fade, and a bright light appeared, illuminating the room. He rubbed his eyes, painfully adjusting to the light change. He peered around the room. (I know this room.)
In every inch of the room, except the narrow walkway connecting doors, sheer, pure white material hung from the ceiling. In any other scenario, the room would have been beautiful, even enchanting but instead, it gave off an eerie glow. Two large doors, one on opposite sides of the room were commanding drawing attention instantly. They were more intimidating than the hanging material was.
The double doors were just taller than Irvine. They were intricately carved, with patterns drawn on.
"Squall?!" A female asked breathlessly. It was different than the two other voices that spoke previously. This voice was softer, more feminine, and familiar in so many ways. But more importantly, it made his heart leap. Squall turned in the direction of the voice so quickly, it almost gave him whiplash. His intense eyes scanned the woman in front of him. His heart ached to hug her…but not here…not in front of them.
"Hey…" he murmured, a slight smile on his lips, one that was just barely visible from first glance. The sorceress gave him a huge, relieved grin and practically ran to hug him. The force knocked him back slightly, but Rinoa went on her knees to level the height difference and tightened the hold on his neck even more. His hands were placed very lightly on her waist, aware of the attention they were getting from their four companions. (Dammit…look away Quistis..and wipe that smirk off your face Irvine!)
"I knew you were alive…I knew it. Hyne…I was so afraid…" she whispered. For the first time in a long time, he felt a pang of heartache. (Heartache…you're becoming soft Leonhart.) He gently pushed her away from him and smiled again, except this time, it was a little wider. (I missed you…)
Rinoa looked at him-lovingly?-and took his hand in hers. The other hand, plucked the duck feather out of his hair. "I missed you too."
Behind them, Quistis cleared her throat in a not-so-obvious-way. They exchanged smiles that they thought Squall wouldn't see. "I'm sorry to break up the party over there but…uh…we have a sorceress to fight," the instructor broke in. Little did she know, she would be right in so many ways.
Rinoa blushed and ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah…you're right…so…let's…let's go!" she announced, standing up. Selphie grinned and shared a look with Irvine before bursting out in to laughter. Squall felt the burning sensation creep up to his face, a tinge of red coloring his cheeks. Despite his efforts to stop the blush, it soon gave his face a pink glow.
"OH HYNE!!" Selphie exclaimed between giggles. Breath came rarely. "Squall's BLUSHING!!!" she gasped again before collapsing into another fit of laughter. (Oh crap…what the heck did I get myself into?)
"Are you ready to go yet?" Squall asked dryly, somewhat annoyed. For over 5 minutes Selphie had been giggling to no end. Even Irvine and Zell stopped laughing after a minute. It didn't sit well to anyone-except Selphie-that they had to stay in the large and chillingly quiet room. The stillness set everybody on edge.
"Yeah…I am," Selphie said brightly, still a bit of hiccupping left in her. Hesitantly, they stood up, eyeing the door warily…except Selphie. "So does anybody know where we are?" Irvine smiled.
"This was Ede-Matron's chambers before the Parade. Technically…we're in Deling City. Welcome to…The Commencement Room!" He exclaimed. Rinoa surveyed the room with a frightening familiarity.
"What do you think is behind that door?" she whispered, a hand gripping her upper right arm, the arm where her shooting star lay strapped tightly. Rinoa closed the distance between her and Squall.
"I don't know," Squall admitted. He took a quick overview of his companions. Selphie had a bright smile on her face. Zell and Irvine were tense. Quistis was more than a little scared along with Rinoa. (Everybody knows what's going to happen…they're preparing for the worst.) A sudden thought came barrelling through him so fast, he almost stopped in his tracks although the quickness of the thought wasn't the only thing that he paused for. It was the thought itself. (They're preparing to die…to face Ultimecia..to face death.) He stopped by the door, all of them quickly halting as well.
"I don't think we're going to fight Ultimecia yet. I don't think so. I mean…this looks the same…" Squall said. Quistis nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah…I get what you mean…Ulti's in the future, so this room should look much different…it doesn't…" she said. "No…we're probably going to face one of her minions or something."
"C'mon guys..let's just go in there in KICK….SOME…..BUTT!!!!!!!!!!" Selphie cried, pulling out her nunchaku and holding it up in the air.
"Is she on something?" Zell whispered to Irvine, who was looking at her for the first time in surprise. The cowboy shook his head, his eyes still locked on her.
"I have no idea." Suddenly the door swung open on its own accord.
Silence. None of them moved their eyes trained on the chair in front of them. Or…more likely, the person on the chair. The room was much like the other they had been in. Sheer white material hung from the ceiling. However none interfered with the sight of the person on the chair. At first glance, it would be Edea. The headpiece was identical. But to those who know better…(Matron? No…it can't be matron…not her…someone else…it has to be someone else…)
The woman slowly stood from the chair, clad in the exact same dress the Edea wore. The revealing violet dress. But she quickly stepped aside, to the left and turned, facing them. It began to blur from there. The movement was unclear, and seemed like slow-motion. Her face was blurred. (It's not Matron…)
The woman held her arm straight up. Instinctively, the held their weapons at ready. A flash of light blinded them for a moment…then the battle began.
::A/N-I have no idea what 'Telekinetic Punch' or 'Creepy Touch' looks like so I'm making it up.
The dimness of the room disappeared as did the eeriness. Instead a sense of welcomed familiarity overwhelmed Squall. The wonderful salty smell of the sea wafted slowly towards them. Behind them the waves pounded the shores. (What the…why are we in Balamb?) They stood on the wide stone walkway that rounded the entrance of the Balamb Hotel.
"Yo Squall!" It was at that time when he finally noticed that the Edea look-alike was not in front of them. Rather someone else replaced her. "Guys….I think we got company," Zell called, his eyes trained on the being in front of them.
To Squall's far right, Selphie reported that it-she-was a "Sorceress" of some kind. This "sorceress" was abnormally tall, almost double Squall's height. A somewhat bulky purple headpiece and a sheer pink veil trailing down her back gave her the image of a princess…but this was anything but. Two small spirals of yellow material hung from the headpiece, one on either side of her head. Instead of the usually, tanned, peach or much darker skin colors, the "Sorceress" had bluish skin and a dark blue that was presumably the hair.
Her face was heavily coated with make-up. She would look like a clown if not for the dress. The skirts were slim, they hung around her but whenever she walked, or casted a spell, they moved with her legs. Her hands were covered with large, almost comedic white gloves. The bodice was somewhat revealing, the neckline low, but not nearly as low as Edea's violet dress. Colors seemed to be randomly splattered on her dress, but it was quite flattering…if anybody else was wearing it.
Beside her, large pink beams of light appeared, circling around some invisible object. Another figure floated down and landed, all within the lights. This woman was almost exactly like the "Sorceress" beside her, except she had a red trim on her dress. They both moved their hands oddly, waiting for an attack…or perhaps preparing one?
"Quistis, Irvine and Rinoa…provide backup…long ranged. Zell…Selphie…shall we?" He ended the order with a wicked grin. They clashed together. Rinoa did her best trying to protect the three 'frontline' people from the magical onslaught these "Sorceresses" had. Quistis and Irvine did provide the back up; although, Irvine had a much easier time doing so. Soon, Zell and Selphie's combined attacks led the first "Sorceress" to be defeated. She spun in one place, so fast, it was just a blur. Her height began to get higher but simultaneously getting thinner before disappearing altogether. Their surroundings changed instantly from the City of Balamb to the streets of Esthar.
Beams of light shone again. Quickly, both Selphie and Zell jumped back in pain. Zell's arm and leg were burnt. They weren't severe…but they were very close to. Selphie's left hand was littered with cuts. Just as Zell looked back at Rinoa, questioningly, the "Sorceress" had just landed. Rinoa shrugged and mouthed 'Sorry.' Despite their battle experience, they were not prepared for what the "Sorceresses" had under their sleeves.
Squall had single-handedly taken his enemy down although he was left heavily injured. It seemed that Rinoa's magic couldn't help him for some reason. Her disappearance was identical to the "Sorceress" before her. Almost immediately, four other "Sorceresses" Of the exact same appearance, appeared. Except, it was totally unknown to the six of them until the last possible moment. Selphie, Zell and Irvine were of course preoccupied with their "Sorceress." Rinoa, double tasking, tending to Squall's wounds with Quistis and also protecting her friends against the sorceress. It was Squall who noticed them first. It was he who shouted for Quistis to move out of the way. But it was Rinoa who took the brunt of the hit.
It was totally invisible to the naked eye. To Squall's eyes at the very least. But from the look on his sorceress's face, from the surprised etched there, she saw it coming. The "Sorceress" lifted a white gloved hand and held it outward, palm up. In fact, all four "Sorceresses" did the same movements at the same time. Rinoa held Adel and Edea's power…but four of them could easily overpower her. And that they did.
At once, Rinoa was knocked back. Blue and purple sparks and dust twirled around her as electricity sparked through her body. (Rinoa…!!!) Pain numbed the tears boiling in his eyes. Her body shook. For a split-second, her head faced his, revealing her dull and glassy eyes, despite the fact that her face was upside down. Soon, her body was still…too still. Not a muscle moved. Before Squall could do anything. Before Quistis could check Rinoa's pulse…she disappeared, angels floated down to her and erased her existence here…she was swallowed into time. (NO!!! RINOA!!!)
Soon after, everything went downhill. Without Rinoa's magical protection from the "sorceresses" they were left vulnerable for the onslaught of magic. Once those four "Sorceresses" were downed, already Selphie was gone. Presumably dead, trapped in the Time compression. But more waves of "Sorceresses" came.
These came with bright yellow beams pretty much blinded them. The "Sorceress" levitated down with a round shield that pulsated colors around her. She wore a large robe. Bright colors of red, orange and yellow were present. They too were abnormally tall, almost double Squall's height. A deep black dress with a red bodice was seen from under the robe. The dress was more than a little odd with yellow streaks down the side of the skirt and black necking. Her chest, however, was barely covered. But neither Squall nor Irvine noticed for they were still grieving. They fought still, with fury and determination but inside…there was nothing…just a void.
Four of these "Sorceresses" came immediately, swooping down on them. Each person took on one on their own. Once Zell and Irvine were done with their "Sorceress" they began to help Squall and Quistis. The background of the battle changed three times throughout this conflict. They started the fight in Deling City, then Trabia before settling into Timber. Before long, the two remaining "Sorceresses" were twirling into nothing with their evil laugh. Presumably dead. A heavy quiet settled on them. They were tired from fighting…but even more tired from the losses they were hit with. Squall sat on one of the benches. (Selphie and Rinoa…Rinoa…gone…dead…I couldn't protect her…I should have…I failed…I was supposed to be her knight…) Someone was behind him. They put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Squall…there was nothing you could do…it wasn't your fault," Quistis said softly. Without looking at her Squall knew there was pity in her eyes. Without even looking at her, he shook his head and stood, immediately stepping away.
"Whatever," he muttered, sheathing his gunblade. Sighing Quistis turned away from him and walked towards Irvine and Zell, sparing one last glance back at the gunblade wielder.
(You can't do these things alone. You need somebody…I did need someone..but not anymore. I kept needing support from others…it didn't help me much…not at all.)
You will destroy all you love…you must not fight the destruction. Embrace it…and you shall be healed.
(No…I won't…) "Hey…why didn't we use the GF's?" Zell asked somewhat excitedly. Quistis shrugged.
"I tried to call Shiva and Pandemona before but they didn't come," she answered.
"Yeah…I tried to call the Brothers but…then…" Irvine added dejectedly, his head hanging. (I tried to call Quezacotl too…)
When you call…we will not come…
(Is everything coming true…what will happen now?) Squall crouched down, gunblade clattering to the ground. All attention turned to him. (The GF's…were they the ones talking to me?) He clutched his forehead. (Hyne…I have no idea what's happening. My life is ruined…why did Laguna have so much faith in me…in us? Why did we come here…six teenagers wouldn't have a chance against a sorceress…)
"Squall? You okay, man?" Zell slowly approached him, tired looking. No response. "Yo Squall!"
"WHAT?!" Squall whirled around a scowl on his face. "What do you want Zell? You want support?! You want friendship…sympathy?! Well guess what! I have nothing to give you!" he barked, his anger suddenly flooding out. He stomped forward, causing Zell to back up incredulously. "Now do you know why I ignore everyone!?" He directed this at Quistis, who stood amazed to the side. "I cared about Selphie, I cared about Rinoa, and guess where it got me?!" He cackled bitterly, sarcastically. Irvine jumped up, an unfamiliar emotion, to all who knew him, on his face.
"You're not the only one grieving…" Irvine said softly, a solemn expression on his face. His hat partially covered his face. He continued on soberly. But Squall was no longer listening. Something else caught his attention.
TBC…
Author's Note- Thanks to all the reviewers that reviewed last chapter. Though it's not a whole bunch of people, I'm cool with two reviews. Anyway, I hope I caught everybody in character, so if there's a little OOC-ness then please tell me.
REVIEW!! I don't care if it's flames, constructive critisism or one word reviews, I would really love some more. See you next time!